The Location of Electric Energy Facilities: Conflict, Coalition, and Power

This paper attempts to incorporate the notions of conflict, coalition and power into the facility locational process. The siting of electric energy facilities has all the factors present for conflict. For example, complications arise when public utility companies are faced with the allocation of scarce energy resources at competitive market prices as well as the necessity of developing an expensive environmental technology. In addition there has been an increase in pressure for the production of electricity, a decrease in the number of sites available for plant locations and, an increase in public concern for the maintenance of environmental quality. It is within this context that this paper examines the role played by conflicting pressure groups in the location of nuclear energy facilities in Ohio.